HM Prison Bullwood Hall
 HMP Bullwood Hall viewed from the west | |
 | |
| Location | Hockley, Essex |
|---|---|
| Security class | Adult Male/Young Offender |
| Population | 248 (as of December 2012) |
| Opened | 1960s |
| Closed | 2013 |
| Managed by | HM Prison Services |
| Website | Bullwood Hall at justice.gov.uk |
HM Prison Bullwood Hall is a former Category C men's prison and Young Offenders Institution, located in Hockley, Essex, England. The prison was operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
History
Bullwood Hall was built in the 1960s originally as a female borstal. Over time the prison also began to hold female adult prisoners.
In 2002 Bullwood Hall was featured in a series of six 30 minute documentaries titled "The Real Bad Girls".[1] Although the series portrayed the prison in a positive light, a 2005 report condemned Bullwood Hall for still using the practice of slopping out.[2] A year later the prison was singled out for its high levels of attempted suicides and self-harm amongst inmates.[3]
Bullwood Hall continued to serve as a women's prison until 2006, when it was announced that it was to be converted into a Category C male prison, due to a shortage of male prison places.
On 10 January 2013 it was announced by the government that Bullwood Hall is one of 7 British prisons to be closed. The prison closed on Thursday the 28th of March 2013.[4] As of April 2015 the site remains unsold.
Notable former inmates
References
- ^ "Real Bad Girls". British Film Institute. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ "Women inmates forced to slop out". BBC News. 5 May 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ "Report criticises women's prison". BBC News. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ Danny Shaw (2013-01-10). "BBC News - Seven prison closures in England announced". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
